Digitising Social Care Newsletter - April 2025
Welcome to the latest update from the Digitising Social Care (DiSC) team. We’re funded by the government to help adult social care providers make the most of digital technology, wherever they are on their digital journey.
How do I update my DSCR status on Capacity Tracker?
Did you know that as well as capturing vacancy information to help spread the load within the adult social care system, Capacity Tracker also includes a question about progress with setting up Digital Social Care Record Solutions? We're asking all registered social care providers and their teams to update progress with Digital Social Care Records (DSCRs) on their Capacity Tracker, so that we can target support most effectively, and help providers experience the very real benefits of going digital.
The questions, which appear on the Provider Update Screen and Provider Bulk Update Template and therefore do not form part of the Monthly ASC Data Collection, are as follows:
1. Do you use a DSCR system, or are you in the process of setting one up?
If the answer is yes to the above question, a second question will appear:
2. Which system do you currently use, or plan to use?
Care Show London - will we see you there?
The Care Show is nearly here! We are really looking forward to catching up with our colleagues across the sector. This year, we will be running a series of bitesize talks at the Care Show, 30 April – 1 May 2025 at ExCeL, London. The talks will be spread over two days and will look at our current and future work in digital transformation in adult social care.
Simply drop by stand E15 at the relevant time. Please note however that space is limited, and so attendance is on a first come, first served basis. If you aren't able to attend on the day, we will share recordings of the talks after the event on our website.
The agenda is available on our website.
The Adult Social Care DSCR Minimum Operational Data Standard (MODS) and online MODS assurance tool are now LIVE
The Adult Social Care DSCR Minimum Operational Data Standard (MODS) was published on 1 April 2025, for digital social care record (DSCR) assured solution suppliers.
It has been developed by the digitising social care programme (DiSC) over the past four years with people from across the sector to provide a set of standard data and definitions to help care providers received information in the same format, and label it the same way, across all care systems in England.
All DSCR assured solution suppliers are obliged to comply with this standard by the effective date of 1 July 2026. The details of the standard can be found on Confluence including details of how to register for the MODS assurance tool. More information can be found on our website.
Falls prevention and detection technology cuts hospital admissions in half
Fewer elderly and vulnerable people living in Surrey have ended up in hospital thanks to innovative falls prevention and detection technology.
The pilot was carried out by Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System’s Digitising Adult Social Care Team in a bid to better prevent and detect falls of those in residential and nursing homes across the county.
Last chance to have your say on new standards for care technology
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is gathering insights to support the development and implementation of new national standards for care technology. As part of this policy engagement process, they have been seeking insights from care technology suppliers and digital/tech assurance providers. You have until 9 May to register your interest on the Atamis Portal Find out more.
Opening doors with military precision
Registered care manager Jonathan Cunningham explains how they took a high speed approach to digitisation and haven’t looked back since, helping them work in partnership with friends and families.
Read more about how his background in the armed forces helped him bring about cultural change to introduce digital social care records including a family portal.
What's next for Digitising Social Care?
Three years after the Digitising Social Care programme was set up, join us to hear what the programme has achieved, as nearly 80% of CQC registered care organisations are now using a Digital Social Care Record. Also hear about what's next for the digitising social care programme.
Hosted by Digital Care Hub, they will be joined by Peter Skinner, Programme Director for the Digitising Social Care Programme and other guests.
Dates for your diary
Remember to check the events section on our website regularly for more training and development opportunities.
In person events
30 April 2025 - 1 May 2025, Care Show London The Digitising Social Care team are looking forward to being back at the Care Show London. The event is free for those who work in the social care sector.
6 May 2025, Safeguarding Patient Data: Cybersecurity and Data Protection in Healthcare, online webinar This webinar will have an emphasis on the role of local Healthwatch organisations and it will provide practical guidance on how Healthwatch can safeguard patient data, adhere to regulations, and ensure trust in healthcare services. Hosted by Digital Care Hub and Healthwatch England. Sign up.
14 May 2025, Digitising Social Care: End of Programme Reflections Join us to hear what the programme has achieved in the last 4 years (nearly 80% of CQC registered care organisations are now using a Digital Social Care Record!) and what's next. Sign up.